Matthew McLellan, CEO of Halp Technologies, a prominent study abroad platform, shared his concerns expressing the unfair plight of these affected students
Canada’s Northern College (Scarborough campus) recently shocked the international student community by cancelling admissions for the September 2023 session, leaving around 300 Indian students in a distressing situation. These students find themselves unjustly caught in the aftermath of the college’s decision, despite their legitimate applications and acceptances. Matthew McLellan, CEO of Halp Technologies, a prominent study abroad platform, shared his concerns with the Times of India, expressing the unfair plight of these affected students.
Halp Technologies, a Canada-based study abroad platform, has stepped forward to extend its support to the impacted Indian students. In light of the sudden admissions cancellation at Northern College, the platform has committed to providing both financial and legal assistance to these students, aiming to ease their hardships.
McLellan highlighted the core issue that led to this unfortunate incident. The college struggled to anticipate the significant approval rate of study permit visas by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Indian students this year. As a result, the college had no choice but to cancel admissions, attributing it to an overwhelming influx of applications. Traditionally, colleges and universities expected students to apply to multiple institutions, presuming that not all accepted students would ultimately enroll. However, the approval rates for study permits this year for Indian students notably exceeded expectations, reaching around 80-85%. This high approval rate is a reflection of Canada’s welcoming stance toward international students, who often seek employment and permanent residency opportunities after completing their studies. Unfortunately, Northern College found itself in a predicament where they had issued more offer letters than available seats due to this unforeseen surge in approvals.
In the face of adversity, Halp Technologies aims to uphold the dreams of these students and ensure they do not lose a precious academic year or their confidence in Canadian higher education. By providing not only financial assistance but also expert legal counsel and personalized guidance, the platform hopes to alleviate the challenges these students unexpectedly find themselves confronting
To counteract the detrimental impact on the affected students’ academic progress and their trust in Canada’s higher education system, Halp Technologies has put forth a comprehensive aid package. This package includes a cash grant of Canadian $800, aimed at mitigating initial arrival expenses for these students. Moreover, the platform will facilitate legal assistance through Canada-based immigration lawyers, guiding students through the process of creating, reviewing, and submitting their study permit applications to IRCC. Beyond this, the impacted students will also gain access to personalized guidance from Halp’s admissions coaches through their digital platform.
McLellan emphasized that this comprehensive package, valued at around $2000, isn’t limited solely to students directly affected by admission cancellations. Rather, it is offered to any students who are grappling with frustration, anxiety, or apprehension in the current scenario.
In the face of adversity, Halp Technologies aims to uphold the dreams of these students and ensure they do not lose a precious academic year or their confidence in Canadian higher education. By providing not only financial assistance but also expert legal counsel and personalized guidance, the platform hopes to alleviate the challenges these students unexpectedly find themselves confronting.
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